Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :
Ramzan though ‘Haqqullah’, directly related with the Creator, is at the same time related with ‘Haqqul Ibad’-meaning the welfare of the people and the creatures. Islamic economic system aims at establishing balanced society eradicating all economic inequity and disparity. For this, proper circulation of wealth and equitable distribution is a necessity.
Until such a system is evolved and introduced, the wealthy people has the special obligation to serve the people through charitable activities. The month of Ramzan is the best period for this.
The Holy Quran ordains : ” … yea, give them/ Something yourselves/ Out of the means which/God has given to you … ” (Sura Noor 24, Ayat 33, The Holy Quran Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali)
Here, wealth is ‘the property of Allah’ and these should be given to them (the poor, needy and destitute).
About charity, the Holy Quran reveals : “They ask thee/ What they should spend (In charity), Say : whatever /Ye spend that is good, /Is for parents and kindred /And orphans/ And those in want /And for wayfarers … ” (Sura Baqara 2 : Ayat 215, Do)
Allah reveals : “And whatever ye spend/ In charity or devotion,/ Be sure God knows it all /… ” (Sura Baqara 2 : 270, Do)
“If ye disclose (acts/of) charity, even so/It is well, /But if ye conceal them, /And make them reach /Those (really) in need, /That is best for you/ It will remove from you/ Some of your (stains of) evil … “( Sura Baqara 2 : Ayat 271, Do)
Allama Yusuf Ali in The Holy Quran : Translation and Commentary commented on charity in the following way. “It is better to seek no publicity in charity. But, if it is known, there is no harm. If it is for public purpose, it must necessarily be known and a pedantic show of concealment may itself be a fault. The harm of publicity lies in motives of ostentation. We can better reach the really deserving poor by quietly seeking for them….”
According to Holy Hadith, Ramzan is ‘the month of sympathy’ as it introduces the wealthy people with the sorrows of the poor and the needy through hunger in fasting. It awakens conscience and humanitarian fellow-feeling.
Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) used to make more charity in this month. “His charitable activities blow more speedily than the blowing wind.” (Bukhari Sharif)
Jakat and Sadaqah are the medium of helping others. The compulsory payment of Jakat and voluntary contribution of Sadaqah (charity) help building a society based on equity and equality.
Ramzan though ‘Haqqullah’, directly related with the Creator, is at the same time related with ‘Haqqul Ibad’-meaning the welfare of the people and the creatures. Islamic economic system aims at establishing balanced society eradicating all economic inequity and disparity. For this, proper circulation of wealth and equitable distribution is a necessity.
Until such a system is evolved and introduced, the wealthy people has the special obligation to serve the people through charitable activities. The month of Ramzan is the best period for this.
The Holy Quran ordains : ” … yea, give them/ Something yourselves/ Out of the means which/God has given to you … ” (Sura Noor 24, Ayat 33, The Holy Quran Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali)
Here, wealth is ‘the property of Allah’ and these should be given to them (the poor, needy and destitute).
About charity, the Holy Quran reveals : “They ask thee/ What they should spend (In charity), Say : whatever /Ye spend that is good, /Is for parents and kindred /And orphans/ And those in want /And for wayfarers … ” (Sura Baqara 2 : Ayat 215, Do)
Allah reveals : “And whatever ye spend/ In charity or devotion,/ Be sure God knows it all /… ” (Sura Baqara 2 : 270, Do)
“If ye disclose (acts/of) charity, even so/It is well, /But if ye conceal them, /And make them reach /Those (really) in need, /That is best for you/ It will remove from you/ Some of your (stains of) evil … “( Sura Baqara 2 : Ayat 271, Do)
Allama Yusuf Ali in The Holy Quran : Translation and Commentary commented on charity in the following way. “It is better to seek no publicity in charity. But, if it is known, there is no harm. If it is for public purpose, it must necessarily be known and a pedantic show of concealment may itself be a fault. The harm of publicity lies in motives of ostentation. We can better reach the really deserving poor by quietly seeking for them….”
According to Holy Hadith, Ramzan is ‘the month of sympathy’ as it introduces the wealthy people with the sorrows of the poor and the needy through hunger in fasting. It awakens conscience and humanitarian fellow-feeling.
Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) used to make more charity in this month. “His charitable activities blow more speedily than the blowing wind.” (Bukhari Sharif)
Jakat and Sadaqah are the medium of helping others. The compulsory payment of Jakat and voluntary contribution of Sadaqah (charity) help building a society based on equity and equality.
